RETREAT IN RISHIKESH
We hope to offer this retreat in Fall/Winter 2024. The exact dates have not yet been confirmed. Below is a sample pilgrimage.
During the retreat, we’ll have daily group sadhanas and various inspirational activities. We’ll meditate in Vashishta Gufa, on the banks of the Ganga, a sacred, favourite site for ‘diving deep’. This is the cave where the great Sage Vashishta is said to have meditated. He was among the seven great sages (Saptarishis) and the guru of Lord Ram. On our third day, we will spend the day in silence, introspecting deeply and communing with God on the banks of the Ganga. Reaching the retreat requires an uphill walk, which takes 20–25 minutes for a healthy person. The retreat will be led by Chika and Hari from Ananda Sangha Delhi.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
| Thursday, 1 December 2022 |
| We’ll depart New Delhi Station on Dehradun Shatabdi (Train No: 12017) at 6:45 am and reach Haridwar at 11:36 am. We’ll arrive at Anand Lok, our retreat centre, at noon, have lunch, and settle in our rooms. We will have some free time before we meet for evening tea and an opening circle where you’ll get to meet everyone in our group and then have a group sadhana. |
| Friday, 2 December 2022 |
| The day starts with a group sadhana at 6 am. After a light breakfast we’ll walk to Vashishta & Arundathi Caves and meditate until noon. We come back to Ananda Lok for lunch. We have planned fulfilling ‘Sharing the Nature’ activities for the afternoon. As a part of that, we will trek down to the Ganga River, to a beautiful private beach where we can take a dip if the current is not too strong. The day ends with meditation and dinner. |
| Saturday, 3 December – A Day of Silence and Introspection |
| The day starts with silent meditation at 6 am, followed by breakfast at 8 am. We’ll regroup for sadhana at 5 pm and end the silence with chanting. During the day we’ll be in silence trying to dive deep into stillness, which will help us to introspect and journal the same. You can choose a quiet, secluded spot in the retreat to spend the day, or walk back to the Vashista cave or the Ganga beach on your own. |
| Sunday, 4 December 2022 |
| The day starts with a silent meditation at 6 am followed by breakfast at 8 am. We’ll gather for the closing circle at 10:00 am. We will pack our bags and meet for lunch at 1:30 pm. In the afternoon we’ll start from Ananda Lok by bus to Haridwar to board the Dehradun Shatabdi (Train No: 12018) at 6:15 pm and reach Delhi at 10:50 pm. |
ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORTATION
This 4-day Retreat will be held at Anand Lok, 22 kilometres ahead of Rishikesh, towards Badrinath, across Ganga. Transport from Delhi to Haridwar will be on Shatabdi express and Haridwar to Rishikesh will be on a 27-seater bus. Alternatively, you can choose to reach Anand Lok on your own via flight. The nearest airport to Anand Lok is Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun which is 40 km away. Taxis from the airport may take 1 hour, and cost around Rs 1500.
PROGRAMME FEES
Double occupancy: Rs. 17,000 per person.
Single occupancy (a limited number of private rooms): Rs. 21,000 per person
The programme fee includes group transportation by train and bus from Delhi-Rishikesh-Delhi, lodging and all meals. Not included are personal snacks, and beverages; donations; optional tips, and medical expenses if any.
APPLICATION AND PAYMENTS
A completed application form and payment are both needed to confirm your space. We ask for full payment as soon as your application is approved. In case of cancellation, Rs. 3000 of the fee is non-refundable if cancelled by November 15th. No refund is possible if cancellation after that date.
Space is limited.
Your space will be secured upon acceptance of your application and receipt of payment. Space on the retreat will be filled in the order in which payments are received. Applications will be accepted until the retreat is full, at which time we will establish a waiting list.